Senior FMCG Product Developer - Hybrid (Stellenbosch)

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus opportunities

Comprehensive health benefits

Generous annual leave & development

Access to R&D facilities in Stellenbos

Job summary

Placements24, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking a Senior Product Developer for their FMCG R&D team. Hybrid work model with laboratory innovation and strategic development planning.

You will drive the full product lifecycle from concept to commercialization, mentor peers, and stay ahead of market trends in food and beverage. A strong background in food science and regulatory standards is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Food Technology, or a related field.
• Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience in product development within the FMCG food and beverage industry.
• Proven expertise in product formulation, ingredient functionality, and food processing techniques.
• Strong understanding of sensory science, analytical techniques, and quality assurance principles.
• Experience with project management methodologies and tools.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., HACCP, FSSC 22000).
• Experience in a hybrid work environment, demonstrating effective collaboration and self-management.
• Knowledge of the Western Cape food and beverage landscape is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new food and beverage products, from ideation through to commercial launch, ensuring alignment with market trends and business objectives.
• Conduct extensive research on ingredients, raw materials, and processing technologies to optimize product formulations and performance.
• Develop prototypes, conduct sensory evaluations, and perform shelf-life studies to ensure product quality, safety, and consumer acceptance.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches and ongoing product improvements.
• Manage product development projects, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during product development and scale-up processes.
• Ensure all product development activities comply with food safety regulations, quality standards, and relevant industry legislation.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends, new technologies, and competitor innovations within the FMCG food and beverage sector.
• Mentor junior product developers and contribute to the continuous improvement of R&D processes.
• Prepare technical documentation, specifications, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Product development

Sensory science

Project management

Analytical thinking

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Food Science / related

Job description

Placements24, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking a Senior Product Developer for their FMCG R&D team. Hybrid work model with laboratory innovation and strategic development planning.

You will drive the full product lifecycle from concept to commercialization, mentor peers, and stay ahead of market trends in food and beverage. A strong background in food science and regulatory standards is essential.